Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-03-12
REMAK1Ne THE MAP.

panhandle to Washington Territory was a
wise action. That it has failed, however,
to become law now, does not indicate its
ultimate and permanent defeat Congress
will renew the measure, and we believe il
will be erected into law. Though post
poned for time, the question is still liv-
ing, and in the period between this date
and the next assembling of the national
legislature it ought to be debated before
the people. The Houses having reflected
the popular judgment relative to
the transfer of the panhandle to
Washington Territory, it remains to
be seen whether the Congress next to
treat the subject will go beyond
that and annex the southern por-
ton of Idaho to Nevada, and the western
part of Utah to the same State
To carry out the plan would give
the dignity and advantages of statehood to
large and fruitful sections of Idaho and
Utah, while Nevada would receive, by this
injection of new blood, much-needad
strength. There appears to be not much
objection made to the scheme concerning
the Idaho annexation. But on the Utah
side Of the question, the proposal is at
tached to this other, that the remainder of
Utah shall be annexed to Colorado, and
this involves much wider issues The
division would dispose of Utah, and forever
and egectuaIly settle the Mormon ques-
tion.
What may be said in favor of the plans?
First, that as Washington Territory is as
sured Of admission into the Union very
soon-in all probability next winter-and
as the panhandle, by the physical confor-
nation of the country, belongs to her
watershed, it is the best thing to do for
the panhandle people, and places them
practically in State, without the cost
and labor of erecting an independent one
for themselves. Next, that the addition
of southern Idaho to Nevada is suggested
by the diminution of territorial area by
the subtraction of the Panhandle, by eco
nomical and trade considerations, by what
is believed to be the desire of the people
in the premises, by the natural conforma-
ton Of the country, and by the need to
augment the populous and wealth-produc-
ing strength OF Nevada Finally, that the
slicing Of Utah longitudinally viii attach
tn e region east of the Wahsatch range to
section to which it is geographically
related, and the people of which have a
State government in good financial con-
dition, and who can thus extend to the
Utahans the full privileges of citizenship,
without the new cost and taxation insep-
arabic from the launching of State. The
addition of west Utah to Nevada will still
more augment the Importance of that
State, which is lacking in population and
other material strength, and while giving
ii vast territorial expanse blots out for
ever the contentious question Of the ad-
mission of Utah as State
What may be said against the plan {?
That it will deprive the Senate of the
United States OF four members in pros
pective; but it is not by any means to be
taken as an i'll. 1t viii not disturb, at
least, the political character of the Senate,
and Republicans viii deem that a negative
virtue at least. The Senate is large
body already, waile the population under
the new arrangement would have in that
body representation at once, that other
wise it cannot hope for in many years.
But the cutting up of Utah
would greatly inconvenience her
people by removing the political
seat nearly 500 miles west in the one case
and S25 east in the other. This is among
the lesser considerations in these days Of
telegraphy and rapid and many facilities
for transportation. After all, the distances
are not greater than those traversed by
the people of several sections of some
other States of the Union in reaching po-
Iitical centers Moreover, if the need de-
veloped. there would PROFESSIONALLY be
adjustments made to accommodate the
greater number. 1t is protested that
this dismemberment of Utah would
be an outrage upon the rights Of the PEG
ple. whose claim that the territory be
made an independent State is superior in
strength to that which fortified the admis-